Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-06-23
A oHANaR DESIRED.
Reasons why we Should Elect
J.B. Mayes.


EDITOR CHIEFTAIN 1T is a
fact well established by the histo-
ry Of nations that where political
parties continue for a long series
of years in control of the reins OF
government they, as a natural con-
sequence, become in a great meas
ure corrupt. Rings and combina-
tions, which are dangerous to the
peace and welfare of a country,
are formed. The public good is
lost sight Of in the scramble for
place and patronage, and greed and
avarice take the place of patriot
ism. As an illustration of this
fact, witness the systematic steal
ings Of the Democratic party before
the rebellion and later the corrup-
ton which marked the latter ad-
ministrations under Republican
rule, hence the natural check which
one political party has upon anoth-
er is purifying in its nature and is a
great safeguard to the perpetuity
Of republican institutions. That
taint of corruption should be
found in the government Of our
own nation is but natural, and that
things clark" have been covered
up and kept from the public eye
by the party in power is fact be-
yond dispute until the perpetual
tion or longer continuance of said
party in power becomes dangerous
to the best interests Of our country.
A change Of administrations be-
comes expedient for the public
good wherever the best interests
of the entire people are lost sight
of in the wild chase after position
and place. When we look back
over the leading measures which
have marked the present admins
tration of public affairs, notably
The cattle lease, and the methods
which were used TO obtain said
lease together with the methods
by which the money for the pay
ment of 1888 was obtained and the
consequent loss to the Cherokee
people of s22 800 through the false
pretences of those then entrusted
with the management of public ef-
fairs, we are led to believe that
corruption is not unknown in our
own government. That the party
in power was responsible for what
ever wrongs may have been mixed
up in these transactions cannot be
answered by saying that the ma
tional council was responsible for
those measures, for all intelligent |
citizens know that the chief execu-
tive is the custodian of the peo-
pies Interests and is clothed by |
the constitution with power which, |
If properly exercised, would eff
fectually check all measures which
were pernicious and detrimental
to the public good, or at least he
could 60 on the record in opposi-
tion to measures which he consid-
cred dangerous. The s22,500 !
matter forms a ozark" page in the
history of the last few years and
the present administration will
to be responsible for any
wrong there may be in the trans
action. Then again, by far the
most important question which
has come up and one which more
affects the we'll being Of
The Cherokee people than any
other, to-wit the question of
citizenship, remains to-day in the
same uncertain state it was ten
years ago. The National party
.hus evidencing that they are una
Die TO inaugurats a plan whereby
.iis vexed question may be settled. |
The last effort in that line--the
present commission court failing
o reach the case, according to the
'ecent letter Of Commissioner At
sins, the decision of the court
loes not settle any question of
citizenship. Now these are facts
which the voters of the Cherokee
ration should carefully consider
n choosing their man for chief.
4 the National party have tried
md failed they should be set aside
md some other set Of men given a
'hance TO meet the exigencies of the
occasion. We have no evidence
hat if they were given a new lease
# power they would do any
'etter in the future than they have
u the past. JUsTINIk